2026 Election, Key Races Across the Antelope Valley.

PALMDALE, Calif. — Voters across Palmdale and the Antelope Valley will make several important decisions in the Nov. 3, 2026 General Election, with races for Congress, State Assembly, city councils, school boards and water districts.

One of Palmdale’s biggest ballot questions will determine how the city selects its mayor.

Palmdale Mayor Measure

Palmdale currently has five councilmembers elected by district, with the mayor selected from among the City Council through a rotating system.

In November, voters will decide whether Palmdale should move to an at-large elected mayor, allowing voters citywide to directly choose the mayor.

If approved, the change would begin with the November 2028 election.

Palmdale City Council

Three City Council districts are on the ballot.

District 3: Laura Bettencourt, Carlos Cordero, Jeremiah Farrell, Franzelle Johnson Jr. and Anain Robles.

District 4: Getro Elize, Mark A. Maldonado, Eric Ohlsen and Francisco Sanchez.

District 5: Raycine Ector, Cynthia “Cyndi” Garcia and V. Jesse Smith.

Congressional District 27

Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. George Whitesides faces Republican Jason Gibbs for California’s 27th Congressional District.

Whitesides was first elected to Congress in 2024.

State Assembly District 34

Republican Assemblymember Tom Lackey is term-limited, creating an open race for Assembly District 34. The November candidates are Randall Putz, a Democrat, and Charles Frederick Hughes, a Republican. The winner will succeed Lackey in the State Assembly.

State Assembly District 39

Democratic Assemblymember Juan Carrillo is seeking reelection in Assembly District 39 against Republican Paul Andre Marsh.

Carrillo, a former Palmdale City Councilmember, has represented the district since 2022.

Which Assembly race appears on a voter’s ballot will depend on where they live.

School Board Elections

Several Antelope Valley school districts also have seats on the ballot.

The Palmdale School District, Antelope Vally Union High School District.

Other school districts, including Keppel Union, Wilsona, Eastside Union , Antelope Valley College Board and Lancaster, also have elections depending on a voter’s address.

Water District Elections

Water district seats are also being decided.

For the Palmdale Water District,

The Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency 

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

Because congressional, Assembly, city council, school and water district boundaries differ throughout the Antelope Valley, not every voter will see the same races.

Residents are encouraged to review their official sample ballot to determine which candidates and measures will appear on their ballot.

From choosing representatives in Washington and Sacramento to deciding who oversees local schools, water agencies and city government, Antelope Valley voters will have plenty to decide this November.

For Palmdale residents, the election could also bring a historic change: giving voters the power to directly elect their mayor beginning in 2028.

Voter Information: Get Ready to Vote

Antelope Valley residents are encouraged to check their voter registration, confirm their voting address and review their official ballot before Election Day. Voters should also verify their assigned districts because city council, school board, water district and legislative boundaries vary by address.

Official information about voter registration, vote-by-mail ballots, ballot drop boxes and Vote Center locations is available through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk and the California Secretary of State.

Make a plan to vote, know what is on your ballot and make your voice heard on Nov. 3.

This keeps the call to action nonpartisan and informational, which fits a news article.

Important Voter Information

This article is intended as a general overview and may not include every candidate, race, district or ballot measure appearing on Antelope Valley ballots. While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, there may be inadvertent errors involving district designations, candidate names, spelling or other election details.

Voters are encouraged to verify all information through their official city election resources or the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk voter guide.